Al Islah Publication

10/08/2023

04/05/2023

Who is the wisest?

Ibn Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah(Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalllam) , which of the believers is best?” The Messenger of Allah, (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalllam) said “Those with the best character.” The man said, “Which of the believers is the wisest?” The Messenger of Allah, (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalllam) said, “Those who remember death often and have best prepared for it with good deeds; those are the wisest.” (Sunan Ibn Mājah 4259)

12/04/2023

Shortcomings with regard to making dua'

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi RA
Munajaat e Maqbool

There are certain shortcomings with regard to making dua'.

They are:

1. There is no importance given to dua' except when there is a severe need to do so.

2. Even when there is a dire need to do so, the dua's taught to us by Allah and His Rasool are abandoned and instead, new wazifahs are read.

3. Dua' is made without any yearning or inclination. Dua' is made without any feeling or attention.

4. There is no conviction and anticipation in the acceptance of dua' .

5. One expects the dua' to be accepted immediately. If there is any delay in the acceptance of the dua', one becomes frustrated and gives up making dua'.

10/03/2023

06/03/2023

What happens on Laylatul Bara’ah?

By: Shaikhul Hadeeth, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA)

The Malaaikah are issued instructions for the whole year on this one particular night of the year. They are assigned duties for the year and informed that such and such things have been decreed for such and such person.

Many a man is engrossed in sports and pastimes while, in the heavens above, orders have gone out for his arrest. It has been decreed that he will suffer death and no one can intercede with Allah Ta’ala, or appeal to Him, to change His decree! Nor can the decreed hour of a man’s death be delayed by even a minute! A Hadith reports Ibne Abbaas (radiyallahu anhu) as saying: ‘You will notice that a person is walking about in the bazaars, though his name has been recorded in the list of those who are destined to die in that year.” Abu Nadhrah (radiyallahu anhu) says: “On this night, the angels are assigned their duties for the whole year. Orders are issued about the means of welfare apportioned for the year, about the evils to be suffered, about the sustenance to be provided, about the people destined to die, about the afflictions and about the high or low prices of commodities.”

‘Ikramah (radiyallahu anhu) says, “On the middle night of Sha’ban (Laylatul Bara’ah), all the events decreed for the year are assigned to the angels. The lists of people destined to die, and of those who will perform Hajj during the year are handed over to the angels. No changes can be made to these lists’

According to another Hadith, Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] once said: “(On this night), the angels are given the names of people who are going to die during the year from one Sha’baan to the next, with the specific hours of death destined for each person. Many a man gets married in this world and a child is born to him while, in the heavens above, his name has been recorded in the list of the dead.”

Hadhrat Aaishah (radiyallahu anha) says: “Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] used to fast very frequently during Sha’baan, for it is in this month that a list is prepared of those who are destined to die during the year. And many a man is engaged in getting married while, in the heavens above, his name has been recorded among the dead; or, again, a man is preparing for Hajj while his name has been enlisted among the dead.”

Another Hadith reports that once Hadhrat Aaishah (radiyallahu anha) asked Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] why he fasted more frequently in the month of Sha’baan, to which he replied: “In this month, a record is made of those who are destined to die during the year and I wish that, when my name is recorded in the list of the dead, I should be fasting.”

A Hadith says that, every year, on the middle night of Sha’baan, Allah Ta’ala informs Izraeel (alayhis salaam), the Angel of Death, about all those who are destined to die during the year.

[Fazaail-e-Sadaqaat Page 653-654]

15/02/2023

Etiquettes of Salaam

Hakimul Ummat Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi Rahmatullahi Allai in his book Aadabul Muaasharaat has mentioned the following etiquettes of Salaam.

1. In a gathering where a talk or discussion is taking place, the person entering should not draw attention to himself by making Salaam. He should not interfere in the talk. He should lower his gaze and silently sit down. When later the opportunity arises, he should make Salaam.

2. Adopt the practice of mutual Salaam. Whenever meeting a Muslim, say: Assalamualaikum. In reply say Walaikumus Salaam.
All other ways are baseless.

3. When a person conveys the Salaams of another to you, reply: Alayhim Wa Alaikumus Salaam. This is best. If someone replies: Walaikumus Salaam, It will also suffice.

4. One person of the group making Salaam will be representative of the whole group. His Salaam will be adequate on behalf of the group. Similarly, if from the gathering one person replied, it will suffice on behalf of the whole gathering.

5. The one initiates the Salaam obtains greater thawaab (reward).

6. When replying to the Salaam of a person, the Salaam should be made verbally, not by a sign of the hand or a nod of the head.

7. Better repayment for a favour will be when the repayment is somewhat more than the act of favour rendered. Thus, the reply should be more than the Salaam (greeting). If Assalamualaikum was said, the better reply will be Walaikumus Salaam Warahmatullah. If Wa Barakaatuhu is also added it will be an added merit.

8. It is Wajib (obligatory) to reply to the Salaam which is written in a letter. This reply may be in writing or verbally.

9. The Fuqaha have said that in a reply to the Salaam which is written in a letter, one may say Alaikumus Salaam or even Assalamu Alaikum.

10. In a letter in which a dua is written, the Salaam should be written first since this is the Sunnah method.

11. Instead of writing or saying the Salaam, to say any other term or to adopt the greeting of any other community is bidah. Such an alien greeting is in fact alteration of the Shariah.

12. A person who is engrossed in a conversation or in some work should not be greeted. The new-comer should not intrude with his hand-shaking. Such an act is uncultured and causes distress to others.

13. It is Makrooh (Abominable - disliked) to greet a person involved in deeni or natural activity. Thus, to make Salaam to a person eating is Makrooh while it is not Makrooh (Abominable - disliked) to engage in conversation while eating.

14. It is not permissible to bow and make Salaam.

15. Before entering a house or any place of privacy it is necessary to seek permission. Do not enter without permission.

16. Stand outside and proclaim the Salaam, then ask permission in any language. Use such terms which convey the full meaning. However, as far as the Salaam itself is concerned only the terms of Shariah should be used.

17. When answering the call of nature neither reply to anyone’s Salaam nor offer Salaam.

18. On promising to convey a person’s Salaam it becomes Wajib to do so, otherwise not.

19. When making Salaam to elders adopt a low voice. Do not express your self in such terms which convey arrogance or disrespect.

(Aadabul Muaasharat -etiquettes of social life-, publisher YMMA, Pg 12)

29/12/2022

The Du’aa Of A Father For His Child

Why should a father make du’aa for his children?

Are you making du’aa for your children?

Our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three prayers that are not rejected: the prayer of a father for his child, the prayer of the fasting person and the prayer of the traveller.” Narrated by al-Bayhaqi

10/11/2022

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah and Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhum) report that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would recite Surah Jumu’ah and Surah Munafiqun in the Jumu’ah Salah.

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 877 and 879)